Lucy Barton is recovering in the hospital from a
surgery that left her
very ill for an unexpectedly long time. The doctors have it under control but
Lucy is beginning to despair. As a young mother, she misses her two girls and
her husband, their home and the life she so desperately created after escaping
an emotionally tumultuous childhood which the reader learns about in bits and
pieces. Like following a trail of breadcrumbs the reader follows through
Lucy’s eyes slowly and carefully. Shockingly, her mother, whom she hasn’t
spoken to for years visits for a few days and literally does not leave her
side. They reconnect through an invisible bond that Lucy had almost forgotten existed.
Lucy creeps back to the past through local gossip. It is a connection to come
across memories they share in detail and striking to discover some that could
not be more different. Lucy is astounded to realize through her mother’s eyes
they told a completely different story. Is it guilt or shear desperation that
pushes people to selectively choose how they live their life and which
experiences they care to take along for protection from the past. This is a
short read but cannot be read quickly as author Elizabeth Strout’s words are
poetic and flow like you are reading someone’s mind or heart. I have to admit I
wasn’t the HUGEST Olive Kitteridge fan (although the mini series came alive thanks
to the incredible Frances McDormand) but this Lucy Barton, I COULD NOT PUT
DOWN, not for a minute.
I loved this book!!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this book too! For me, it started slow, but the longer I read, the more engrossed I became. It really made me examine the mother-daughter relationship. Very good
ReplyDeleteThis book started slowly for me, but the more I read, the more I was engrossed. I really liked it, and it made me re-examine the mother-daughter relationship. Very good.
ReplyDelete